FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
"Classic League Soccer"

Last Updated - 09/01/2008

Q. What is Classic League Soccer?
A. Classic League soccer is a higher level of competition in the state of South Carolina. This is similar to all-star teams or traveling teams in other sports. Other states have different names for the level of play, so please do not confuse one definition for another one. Academy serves U9-U12 boys/girls and Select serves boys/girls U13-U18.

Q. Who runs the program?
A. Each club in the state must be affiliated with South Carolina Youth Soccer Association (SCYSA), which in turn is affiliated with United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA). Each club has their own set of rules/bylaws under which they operate. Check or ask for the clubs rules for operation.

Q. What is the highest level of play?
A. In reality Classic level is actually split into 4 levels of play. There is (1) district play, (2) statewide play, (3) statewide challenge league play, and (4) interstate premier league play. The idea is to create an environment that will challenge the players to the best of their abilities. Most CRSA teams will compete at the first level of play with some teams occasionally participating in the second level.

• District & Statewide Play - if there are sufficient teams in an age group then district play would be the norm, however the statewide league has created a lot of interest since it provides exposure to other teams. Teams in both of these leagues compete for a state championship.
  
• Statewide Challenge League -  is a step above in that the competing teams are of the highest caliber and compete for the state title. In the older age groups (U14 and up), if successful in the state championship, the team is invited to participate in the regional tournament and, depending upon success, in the national tournament where a national champion is crowned.
  
• Premier League - Premier League play is available only to the teams that finished 1-2 in the statewide challenge league (U14 and up). These teams compete during the regular season with similar teams from other regional states (out-of-state travel).

Q. How does it compare with Recreational soccer?
A. Classic soccer requires more time and financial commitment than recreational level play. It also requires a commitment from the player (and parents/guardians), unlike recreational play there are no guarantees of playing time. Many clubs also have a try-out process under which the player is evaluated for his potential.

Q. How much time and financial commitment?
A. Depends on the level of play, however most classic teams will travel throughout the state for games on weekends plus possibly travel to in-state and out-of-state tournaments. There are usually ten regular season games plus, depending on age and level. Teams train with two to three practices a week. Practices can last from one to two hours. Financially, it is dependent on the club selected but considerably more than recreational fees. For more information on financial hardships, please check out this PDF:

• Financial Assistance (Scholarship Information) - MS WORD

Q. What kind of commitment is required from the player?
A. A player is required to be at all practices and games, each individual team may have their own set of rules which will need to be adhered to. The player is expected to perform at his/her best and be at his/her best behavior.

Q. What kind of instruction will the player receive?
A. Most clubs have a selection process in which they will assign the appropriate coach for the age level. This typically is not a parent. Most high level teams have certified coaches which may be compensated for their time. Some clubs may use knowledgeable volunteers and provide appropriate training by assigning certified trainers for a given team. The development of the payer is of utmost importance.

Q. My child will like to play in College, would this level of play guarantee him a scholarship?
A. As with any other sport, as the level of competition goes up the number of able players goes down. There is no guarantee that playing at this level will be rewarded with a scholarship, however it can be said that not playing at this level will reduce your chances considerably.

Q. What if my child plays High School ball only?
A. Although there are many good High School programs, it is a known fact that college coaches look at club performance before considering High School play. The reason is due to relatively new development of the sport in the US, and many coaches do not consider prep play as being indicative of that players performance against opponents of equal skill. In South Carolina clubs do not compete during the normal high school season for high school aged players. This allows the player to enjoy the high school experience.

Q. Are there any other programs for development that can increase the players skill level?
A. Most states provide a program where they select the best players and compete against other states. This is usually called ODP or Olympic Development Program. Here players are identified based on their skill and, if successful, may be invited to participate at either the regional or national level. If you have heard about the US U17, U19, etc. National team, this is the pool from which many of the players are selected. Many college coaches are selected to run these programs which is one of the benefits for maximum exposure.